Business Connections 2014 includes a focus on employee health this year.

Events manager Julie Donohue of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce said Tuesday that adding health-care screenings and information on employee-wellness programs is intended to bring more of the general public to the event, scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center.

The chamber has sponsored the event since 1989. The exhibitor floor is open 1 to 7 p.m. Admission is free to the public.

“We wanted it to be open to more than just business-to-business,” Donohue said. “Even though there were things for the general public in the past, we decided to add health care.”

Donohue said more than a dozen health-care providers will be among the 70 exhibitors on the convention center floor. A variety of health screenings will be available, as well as a specialist on employee wellness programs, Donohue said.

“This also opens it up to businesses that are not large enough to have their own health-care program,” Donohue said.

Mayor Mike Houston will provide an update of developments in Springfield during the “State of the City” luncheon, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Cost for the luncheon is $33 for members and $35 for non-members.

The daylong schedule also includes speed networking, 9 to 11 a.m.; a social media seminar by Mid-West Family Broadcasting, 2 to 3:30 p.m.; and Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m.

A variety of food vendors are participating.

Additional information is available by contacting Donohue at the chamber, 525-1173 or jdonohue@gscc.org.